Unloading device for vehicles



June 2, 1953 KUHL UNLOADING DEVICE FOR VEHICLES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 29, 1949 GERALD '4. Km.

Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UNLOADING DEVICE FOR VEHICLES Gerald L. Kuhl, Detroit Lakes, Minn.

Application August 29, 1949, Serial N 0. 112,997

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to a device for unloading a vehicle body of grain, silage, bulk material or package material. This invention is adapted to unload any size of a vehicle body. It is desirable to have a mobile unloading device which can be conveniently moved about and which can be placed on even or uneven ground. It is also desirable to have an unloading device which can be adapted to be used with any vehicle body and comprising a simple, efficient and easily operated means.

It is an object of this invention to provide a simple and efficient device for unloading a vehicle body and one which is easily attached and set up in operative position.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a device with a readily adjustable means of attachment to a vehicle body for unloading the same and which is adaptable to be securely placed on uneven as well as even ground.

It is still further an object of this invention to provide a self powered unloading device comprising a driven rotating member having readily interfitting and detachable engagement with another rotating member carried in means attached to the vehicle body and operating a load discharging member.

It is more specifically an object of this invention to provide a portable frame, a rotatable shaft journaled in said frame, a motor driven means for rotating said shaft and a second rotatable shaft journaled in brackets secured to said vehicle body, said shafts being inter-engageable at either end thereof whereby said second shaft can be rotated from said first shaft, said second shaft operating an unloading member.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a vehicle body;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the unloading device attached in operating position to a vehicle body;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the unloading device with some parts shown by dotted lines;

Fig. 4 is a view of the unloading device in side elevation with some parts shown by dotted lines;

Fig. 5 is a View taken on line 55 of Fig. 4 in the direction indicated by the arrows with some parts in vertical section;

Fig. 6 is a view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4 in the direction indicated by the arrows with some parts shown by dotted lines; and

Fig. 7 is a view in vertical section taken on line 'I-I in Fig. 4 in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, a device is shown comprising a frame structure I0. While this frame could be variously constructed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it is shown as comprising a pair of spaced angle bars ma having horizontal flanges extending away from each other and thus having their adjacent flanges vertical. Members Illa are connected adjacent one end, which will be designated the rear end, by a transversely extending angle member IIlb having one flange engaging the tops of member Illa and the other flange extending at right angle to said top. The other ends of members Illa are connected by a cross piece IIlc in the form of an angle member having one flange in substantially the same plane as the horizontal flanges of members I00. and having a downwardly extending flange. Said horizontal flange has beveled ends.

A pivot member II projects forwardly from the downwardly extending flange of member Ito and an axle member I2 has a central portion swingably mounted on member II. Axle I2 has end portions on which are journaled wheels l4 and held thereon by headed bolts I5.

Spaced from the rear end of said frame is a strut support I6 comprising spaced leg members Ifia having secured thereto a bottom cross member Iiib. Said leg members are secured to the vertical flanges of members Illa in any suitable manner, as by welding. Said leg members are further secured to said frame by braces lllc formed in the form of rods and inclined upwardly from intermediate portions of leg members lBa to engage said vertical flanges of members Ina to which they are secured. Secured to the vertical flanges at the rear end of said frame I0 is a U-shaped handle I! preferably formed of a round rod.

At the front end of frame III is a mounting structure. A flat bar I8 extends between and is supported on members Illa. Said bar has upwardly extending end portions I8a. The upper parts of portions IBa are provided with aligned bores H31) in which is rotatably mounted a shaft l9 having a head at oneend and provided with an aperture I9a. at its other end adapted to receive a retaining cotter pin 20. Bar I8 has apertures I adjacent its end portions and depending therethrough are hook bolts 2| which. engage under the vertical flanges of members Illa. The upper ends of said bolts are threaded to receive nuts 22 engaging the upper side of bar I8. Rotatably mounted on said shaft I9 are spaced collars 23 one of which is provided with a set screw 23a adapted to engage shaft I9. Se-- cured to the collars 23 respectively in any suit-- able manner, as by welding, are forwardly ex-- tending flat bars 26. Bars 26 are each provided with a pair of spaced elongated slots 26a. A.

third collar 24 is rotatably mounted on said shaft l9 between said collars'23 and is provided with a set screw 24a adapted to engage the shaft I9.

A rather short plate is secured horizontally to said collar 24 and is disposed at short distance above bar .18.

A motor 25 is-provided having an attaching flange 25a having holes therein through which pass headed and nutted bolts 32. Bolts 32 also pass through slots 26a. The slots 2611 provide for the adjustment of the motor .llongitudinally of the bars 23. Mounted on the driving shaft 25b of said motor is a pulley 21. Spaced rearwardly from said motor are sa'gl air \Of bearing brackets 28 secured respectively to the tops of members [0a by screws 29. Journaled in said bearing brackets 28 is arshaft 39. Said shaft has a reduced portion con :which .-is secured a :pulley i231. .Pulley Si :is retainedcon shaitfifl by a ccollar pinned or otherwise secured .to shaft 3d. Running over :pulleys .2? and 33.1 "is a belt .33. Formed.onshaftztllisa pinion 311. Meshing with pinion 331i is a .gear '35. mounted 0115a shaft 13?, the ends Of :which .are secured to the:tops.:of members lila in any. suitable (manner, was by :welding. 5A 'co'llar L33 z-senured xto shaft 3'? .between :one :framed member it mid gear 135.

.Eisposed :at one side of .gear it :and against .the same is .a double cam 1:33 zhaving portions .atnpposite sides ofzshaft .3]. .Cam 23B is secured to gear ::by headed and :nutted -bolts l9i extend- .ing through :the :said cam and gear.

Spaced rearwardly of shaft 3? .518 a pair of hearingbrackets zlllmlisposed on the topsro-irmemhers Hill and secured thereto by bolts or screws 3E4. .Journaledin bearing brackets t!) 'is a sleeve iii Ihaving :an .opening lia 'therethrough of polygonal-shape:inrross section. Securedito sleeve ll is a ratchet wheeldii. Ailever ki is provided having .a .pair :of .arms 4-312 :bored to :receive ball bearings surrounding :sleeve id! and .said .lever oscillatesin saidihearings. .Lever li-iihas a pair of Gear .36 is .rotatably M laterally :spaced iforivardly extending arms -43?) between the ends of which extends, a ,ipin l-!l:on which is ,journaled .a cam roller =45 disposed to be enga .ed "by .ca1n939. A pawl 36 :is disposed between arms dill) :and dspseillatablg-on apin d'l xtending between said :arms. T46 :consti- 'tutes :driving il awl :iior :ratchet wheel 15:2 :and .is held *inengagement \with said wheel lby a plate spring secured in a portion are extending "between arms 4 db. -I.18VBI' 63 tems =-a pair I of laterally spaced upwardly extending arm's 43c between the upper "ends of which extends a pin 50.

A ban-5| is .providedhaving'an elongated slot therein through'whichp'asses piniiii. Bar-9i has a rear end portion "51a threaded to receive a threaded front end of a crank 53 journa'led in a bar 'Hlc upstanding from and secured to angle member 'Hl'b. Collars at either side or bar ice are provided to prevent longitudinal movement of said crank. The end of "said threaded portion of crank 53 is slightly "headed to prevent complete withdrawal from rear end portion ii'la. A pair 01 short spaced arms 5T4 are secured to and extend forwardly "from member t"tb centrally thereof and .a stop pawl iitfor ratchet wheel 42 is disposed between said arms and swingably mounted .on a pin 36 extending between said arms. Pawl iifi'has a lower end engaging ratchet wheel A2 andheld thereaga'instby a tensile coiled spring'dil secured at'one endzto the upper end of pawl .55 and at its other .end to a small eye bolt 359 secured in'bar Me.

A cover or' housing Gfltis providedto'enclose'the parts28,36,.3 9,42,43 and'i'l ,the'samebeing subsmall rod extending between members stantially rectangular in vertical cross section and open at its bottom. The top of said housing rests at its rear end upon aplate 61 secured to the top of bar and the front end of said housing has a lip adapte'd'to be disposed under a Hill. Housing 58 has notches or recesses in its side portions in which bearing brackets Gil are disposed.

A shaftfifi of polygonal shape in cross section isprovided and the same is constructed to fit in opening Ma in sleeve ll. Said shaft is of a length-to extend at some distance at either end of said sleeve. Said shaft is mounted loosely in said :sleeve to :be movable longitudinallytherein. 'l'niFigs. land 2 is shown the-vehicle body- 63 of a wagon-am truck.

A sleeve '55 is provided'having an opening Gila :therethrough oi polygonal shape cross .section and adapted to receive shaft Brackets .ttearerprovided andareiadapted .tobe bolted to the bc-ttom'ofz-bodytiizat its rear end and adjacent each side thereof. Sleeve '65 is journaled inasaidbrackets and extends beyond said brackets at each end. Brackets B6 are respectively providedwith set screwed"! to secure sa-idsleeve and its :limit the lateral movement of said sleeve :in said bracket. Secured to sleeve 65 in any suitable manner, as-by teye members, are cables 5-8. Said cables are adapted to be wound on sleeve 65. The said cables are secured at their otherends-to a sliding-panel-BQ having an upper vertical portion 7d and a :lower portion T! extending at-substantially an angleof 45 degrees. Portion '10 is shown as secured to spaced strap ironbars it? byheaded and nutted bolts 33. The lower portions .said strap iron bars 12 are adapted to slide onthe bottom of vehicle body .63. Spaced flat plates .or'bars "Hi underliaportion ll and-are secured thereto byheaded and vnutted bolts 1'3. Said last spaced bars are secured .in any suitable manner, as by welding, at their lower and upper ends respectively to the horizontal and vertical portions of strap members .12. 'Cables fill-are passed around the lower ends of members M.

.Inoperation when the vehicle body 63 15 full of material thesliding panel 89 will be 'at the irontend of said body and at the front end of said vmaterial. The unloading device is now brought alongside the rear end .of the vehicle body, as shown inlFig. '2, and the projecting end of the shaft 62 is insertedin the'end of 'sleeve 65. "Theshaft 62 can be-moved lat'erallyto'suit the positions of the unloading device and the vehicle body. The frame it! is supported on wheels I 4 and strut member (6. Said wheels t4 are secure'd'to axle '12 which ispivotally mounted on frame illi givingsaid axle some vertical movement and thus allowing said Wheels 'torest firmly .on uneven ground. Motor 25 will now-be operated and gear '36 will be driven'andwill rotate cam "39. The rotation of said'c'am will oscillate pawl lever 43 and drive ratchet wheel "42. Since member 39 -is a double cam, ratchet wheel t2 wiilbegiven a rotated impulsetwice in each revolution of gear 3'6. When ratchet wheel 42 rotates it rotates sleeve ll :and shaft-62 therein. Shaft -32 is disposed in sleeve 'GSand rotates the same. Cables 38 are then wound aboutsleeve :63 and simultaneously move th sliding :panel toward the rear :of the vehicle body 63 andathus push the "load of material out at the .rear end if said vehicle body.

The motor mounting structure .is adjustable to accommodate various sized attaching bases of motors. The metal bars 25 are secured to collars 23 which are movable laterally on shaft 19 for adjustment to accommodate various widths of motor bases and the elongated slots 29a make allowance for various lengths of said bases. When set screw 22a is tightened any lateral movement of said motor as mounted on said bars is prevented on shaft 19. The motor as mounted on said bars 26 with set screw 26a tightened is rotatably movable with bar l9 as an axis. The motor is used to tighten the driving belt running over pulleys 27 and 3| by gravity. The short plate 19 is provided to prevent any sharp downward movement of the motor. When set screw 24a is tightened, said plate can only move downwardly a short distance before engaging bar 18 thus restricting the downward movement of said motor.

The crank 53 is provided to adjust the lever 43, which lever is oscillated by cam 39. Lever 43 in turn rotates the ratchet wheel 40. Rotation of said crank will adjust said lever and control the extent of the oscillation of same and thus govern the speed of rotation of said ratchet wheel. Said lever can be adjusted while the unloading device is being operated.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an efiicient and easily handled unloading device which can be readily attached to a vehicle body adapted to the use of same. The rate of speed with which the vehicle body is being unloaded can be increased or decreased while the device continues in operation.

This device has been successfully demonstrated in actual practice and has been found to be very eflicient and to greatly increase the speed with which a vehicle body can be unloaded. This device has great economic value as a time saver in the ease and speed with which a vehicle body can be unloaded and a labor saving device in reducing the amount of help required to unload a vehicle body. This device is now being made on a commercial basis.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for unloading a vehicle body having in combination, a rotatable member with exposed ends mounted adjacent the'end portion of said body, a load discharging member disposed in said body and movable therein, means connecting said load discharging member and said rotatable member for moving said load discharging member by rotation of said rotatable member, a device adapted to be positioned at either side of said body comprising a frame, means for supporting said frame, brackets mounted on said frame, a sleeve rotatable in said brackets and movable laterally therein and inter-engageable with the ends respectively of said rotatable member, a ratchet wheel mounted on said sleeve intermediate the ends thereof, a lever swingingly mounted on said sleeve, said lever having a pawl for engaging said ratchet wheel and having a cam roller thereon, a cam for engaging said roller and oscillating said lever, means for varying the position of the cam roller in operating position for varying the speed of rotation of said ratchet wheel comprising a stop member engaged by said lever and means for varying the position of the stop member.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1, said stop member comprising a bar having a slot therein, said lever having a portion carrying a pin disposed in said slot, a screw journaled in said frame and engaging said bar for moving the same, and a crank for turning said screw.

3. A device for unloading a vehicle body having in combination, a rotatable member with exposed ends mounted adjacent the end portion of said body, a load discharging means movable in said body, a means joining said member and said load discharging means and adapted to move said load discharging means when said member is rotated, a device adapted to be positioned at either side of said body comprising a frame, means for supporting said frame, a sleeve journaled in said frame movable laterally of said frame and having ends adapted to be interengaged with the ends respectively of said rotatable member, means for rotating said sleeve, a motor for driving said last mentioned means, and means secured to said frame adapted to adjustably hold said motor.

4. The structure set forth in claim 3, said means for holding said motor comprising a bar extending transversely of said frame, and means for holding said bar in different positions on said frame, said bar having upstanding ends with a rod journaled in said bar and extending transversely of said frame, a pair of longitudinally spaced bars swingably mounted on said rod and secured thereto and said motor secured to said bars.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, said frame constructed of longitudinally spaced angle members having horizontal flanges facing each other and vertical flanges depending therefrom and hook bolts carried by said bar carried on and extending transversely between said frame, said hook bolts being adapted to engage said vertical flanges and be movable longitudinally thereon.

6. The structure set forth in claim 4, said spaced bars extending longitudinally of said frame having collars secured to their ends and journaled on said rod, means for securing one of said collars to said rod and said spaced bars having longitudinally spaced slots therein.

7. The structure set forth in claim 4, said bar having upstanding ends in which said rod is disposed extending therebetween, a third collar journaled on said rod, means for securing said third collar to said rod, a flat plate carried by said collar and adapted to engage the central portion of said bar upon rotation of said rod.

GERALD L. KUHL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,135,073 Swarner Apr. 13, 1915 1,724,713 Johnston Aug. 13, 1929 2,097,729 Mall Nov. 2, 1937 2,340,983 Pfeiffer et a1 Feb. 8, 1944 2,355,226 Mallory Aug. 8, 1944 2,448,122 Recker Aug. 31, 1948 2,488,217 McCall Nov. 15, 1949 2,495,358 Wengert Jan. 24, 1950 2,512,339 Knapp, Jr. June 20, 1950 2,537,381 Turner et al. Jan. 9, 1951 2,563,158 Claffey Aug. 7, 1951 2,599,741 Bishman et a1. June 10, 1952 

